Many recent posts have described dogs having serious knee injuries and the costs associated with surgery and recovery.

It is well known today that breeding plays a large part in a dogs predisposition for knee injury. Hereditary structural anomalies in the hind legs will leave a dog more prone to these types of injuries.

Reputable breeders will insure that mating pairs have no history of cruciate ligament injury in their lines in addition to the other health clearances before breeding.

Another factor in preventing knee injury is to keep the dogs weight down. A few extra pounds on a dog can put enormous extra pressure on knee structure. There is no good reason to have a fat dog.

Physical conditioning also plays a part in reducing risk. Think of the weekend fun league ball players that arrive at the game thinking they're the same person they were 20 years ago.

Sometimes, despite good breeding, proper weight and conditioning a dog may get injured but the above are things we can do to insure these injuries are kept to a minimum.

Some take always....

1. When purchasing a dog (particularly a working dog) make sure it's from a reputable breeder and ask if all modern health clearances have been done including any history of cruciate ligament repair in both parents.

2. Keep the dog at a reasonable weight.

3. Keep the dog in good physical condition.